Do you meditate in the shower?  If not, it needs to be one of the top five things to start doing.  A shower meditation is also called a water meditation or a mindful shower.  It is a mindfulness practice that calms or energizes you, depending on your needs. 

It is beneficial to everyone. However, it might be especially helpful for:

• Moms
• College students
• Business owners
• Road warriors
• Caregivers of older relatives

This post shares some simple techniques to help you start a regular shower meditation practice.

Why Meditate in The Shower?

Mindfulness meditation brings your awareness to what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment without interpretation or judgment. Thus, it can be integrated into your everyday life, including the shower.

So, why is the shower one of the best places to meditate? Well, the shower is a great place to meditate because it is when you are most likely to be alone and in a relaxed state of mind.  Furthermore, it doesn’t require you to make time in your day. We all need to bathe, right?

Now, it sounds a little weird to recommend a multitasking meditation activity.  However, that’s exactly what a shower meditation is.  Indeed, it’s a time to get clean and refreshed while taking your brain to a happy, peaceful place. When you make your daily shower a meditative ritual, you learn to slow down, relax and be present to enjoy the simple pleasure of taking a shower in a new way.

Shower Meditation Benefits

A shower meditation offers many of the same physical, emotional, and mental benefits of other meditation practices. It helps to:

• Focus on the present
• Promote overall health and well being
• Enhance self-awareness
• Reduce negative emotions
• Release negative self-talk
• Reduce stress
• Reduce anxiety
• Lengthen attention span
• Increase patience and tolerance

Should I Meditate in the Shower in the Morning or Evening?

Whether you do a shower meditation in the morning or evening depends on you and your situation.  Some people shower once a day, and others shower twice a day.  And for whatever reasons, some people don’t or can’t shower daily.

A morning shower meditation helps me to set my intentions for the day ahead. Indeed, many people use it to increase their productivity. I do a shower meditation after doing my daily devotion, praying, and writing in my journal.  In doing so, I extend the sacred space into the shower. By the time I leave for work, I feel like a tiger or woman warrior ready to take on the day’s challenges.  Bring it on and get out of my way!

On the other hand, an evening shower meditation helps to calm and destress me.   I release the negative thoughts about what I didn’t accomplish or what’s left on my to-do list.   After I do an evening shower meditation, I love to write in my journal, listen to an audiobook, and drift off to sleep.

How to Meditate in The Shower

There is no right or wrong way to meditate.  Some people do a guided shower meditation, and others focus on slowing down, being in the present, and engaging all of their senses.

Regardless of the method you use, prepare your space by muting your phone and minimizing distraction. Adding soft, meditative music is always an option.

I use different shower gels and soaps depending on my moods and the time of the day.  In the morning, I like invigorating smells like fruits, citrus, peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus.  However, in the evening, I like calming smells like lavender, vanilla, and rose.

I present a few shower meditation options, but feel free to adapt or create your own. So, gather your shower gel, soap, shampoo, wash cloth, or bath puff and get started.

Meditate in the Shower Option 1: Engage Your Senses

This unstructured shower meditation allows you to create your own practice while engaging your senses.

Prepare Your Space

• Mute your phone and minimize distractions.
• Turn on the water and adjust the water pressure and temperature to a comfortable setting.  
• Take a few breaths and step into the shower.

Listen

• Listen to the sound of your breathing.
• Hear the water as it pulses from the shower. 

See

• Look at the bubbles from the soap or shower gel. 
• See how the washcloth and bubbles glide over your skin.
• Visualize the bubbles bursting and infusing you with energy.

Smell

• Inhale the steam and feel your lungs expand.
• Smell the fragrance of the soap or shower gel.

Taste

• Open your mouth and taste the water on your tongue.
• Take a mouthful of water, gargle, and spit out.

Touch

• Feel the water as it rains over your skin and through your hair.
• Glide the washcloth over your body.
• Imagine the water taking away your stress, worries, anger, fear, sadness, and any negativity.
• Rub the shampoo over your hair and scalp.  Massage the base of your skull.

Experience

• Take a few deep breaths and keep your kind in the present.
• Turn off the water.
• Repeat a mantra or positive affirmation.
• Offer a short prayer and bless your day.
• Dry your body and continue with your day.

Meditate in the Shower Option 2: Guided Waterfall Meditation

This guided shower meditation is perfect for when you have a little more time than for a quick shower. 

Prepare Your Space

• Mute your phone and minimize distractions.
• Turn on the water and adjust the water pressure and temperature to a comfortable setting.  
• Take a few breaths and step into the shower.

Release

• Face the shower and stand under the water.
• Let your body relax and go limp.
• Imagine a waterfall flowing with deep blue water.
• Feel the water running over your body and washing your stress, anxiety, and tension down the drain.
• Do a few cycles of deep breathing.
• Slowly inhale peace and calm and slowly exhale gratitude.

Energize

• Turn your back and face away from the shower.
• Imagine the waterfall flowing with bright yellow water.
• Feel the steady beat of the water.
• Let the energy flow from the top of your feet to your toes.
• Do a few cycles of deep breathing.
• Slowly inhale energy and vitality and slowly exhale strength.
• Repeat a mantra or affirmation.

Heal

• Turn around and face the shower again.
• Imagine the waterfall flowing with bright white light.
• Raise your hands over your head.
• Open your hands and move your fingers to receive the healing energy.
• Let the healing energy flood your body with love, forgiveness, joy, gratitude, and self-acceptance.   
• Lower your arms and get still.
• Do a few cycles of deep breathing. 
• Turn off the water
• Repeat a mantra or affirmation.
• Offer a short prayer.
• Step out of the shower.

Shower Meditation Mantras and Positive Affirmations

Many people repeat mantras during meditation.   A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that aids concentration.  Positive affirmations are types of mantras.

• I know my purpose.
• Joy lives inside of me.
• Love flows through me.
• I feel healthy, happy, and terrific.
• I feel calm, relaxed, and peaceful.
• I’ve got this.
• Fear does not own me.
• Seize the day.
• I am surrounded by love.
• It’s going to be OK.
• I love my curvy body.
• It’s my time to soar.
• I embrace change.
• I’m unstoppable.
• I’m crushing my goals.
• Watch me fly.
• My body is healing right now.
• I love my body.
• Today is a great day to be alive.
• I rejoice in this new day.
• Success tastes so good.
• I embrace new challenges.
• Progress, not perfection.
• I believe in myself.
• I am persistent.
• Do it again and again.
• Growth happens outside my comfort zone.
• I can handle any challenge.
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Meditation

How long should a shower meditation take?

There is no set amount of time for a shower meditation. Most people spend 5 to 10 minutes.

Do I have to repeat a mantra during a shower meditation?

No, you do not. However, repeating positive affirmations helps to set your intentions for the day.

What type of music should I play during a shower meditation?

Music is optional for a shower meditation. Some people do not use music because they want to unplug and stay in the present.  Instead, they listen to the pulse of the water and focus on their breathing.  If you want music, then play soft meditation or instrumental music.

Does a shower meditation use a lot of water?

In general, showers use quite a bit of water. Many people take quick showers to conserve as much water as possible. A 5-minute shower meditation is ideal for those who are concerned about using too much water.

Now, It’s Your Turn

Well, I hope you’ve learned more about how to meditate in the shower. It is one of many meditation practices that helps to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge your body.  You can do it in the morning or evening.  The key is to do it consistently.

While the scientific literature documents the health benefits of meditation, the information in this post is not medical advice.  Furthermore, it does not replace or contradict the advice from medical and mental health providers.

I think you will enjoy the posts on how to practice non-sleep deep rest (NSDR), how to make a self-soothe box, the mental health benefits of walking outdoors, grounding meditation, 55 powerful affirmations for health and healing, and journaling for manifestation.

We look forward to hearing about your experience with grounding. And you can join the conversation on the Keep It Tight Sisters Facebook Page. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your social networks.  Your subscription to the blog is also appreciated!